Notice served for chrome water

After laboratory reports confirmed the presence of chromium content in the groundwater of Sector 18, the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) has issued a show cause notice to Munjal Showa Ltd, which has a factory in the area. Sanjeev K Ahuja reports.

After laboratory reports confirmed the presence of chromium content in the groundwater of Sector 18, the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) has issued a show cause notice to Munjal Showa Ltd, which has a factory in the area .

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The board has charged Munjal Showa of polluting the groundwater of the area.

Hindustan Times had carried two reports on water contamination in Sahraul and the plight of the residents there.

Laboratory report have confirmed that chromium content in the groundwater of the area is 79 mg per liter, which is 800 times more than the permissible limit.

A.S. Chahal, the chairman of Haryana State Pollution Control Board, issued a notice to the company under section-33A of water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1974.

Munjal Showa has been accused of causing pollution of serious nature and contaminating the aquifer of the surrounding area, including Sarhaul, with Hexavalent Chromium, which is highly toxic in nature.

The notice addressed states that the company was being given 15 days time to file their reply failing which it would be closed without further notice.

The unit has also been directed to deposit FDR of Rs. 2 crore or bank guarantee of Rs 5 crore with validity up to March 31, 2012, in favour of the pollution control board.

Munjal Showa Ltd. has a unit engaged in electro-plating and manufactures shock absorbers for two-wheelers and three-wheelers.